Mascara and Maltesers | UK Beauty Blog

31.5.14

Can anyone tell me why I lack so much self control, especially walking through Boots with one of those £3 off makeup vouchers? Nope, no one? Didn't think so. But my reasoning for purchasing the No7 Instant Radiance Bronzing Highlighter was firstly that theirNo7 Instant Radiance Illuminating Highlighter sold out so quickly previously I didn't want to miss out twice. Plus I have been after a bronzing highlighter ever since I first triedBenefit Sunbeam, and at £6.99 No7 was a much better price that I couldn't resist.

Just like their Illuminating Highlighter, this is stick rather than the liquid Benefit Sunbeam bronzer, but this is much easier and less messy than the liquid. I put a little on the tops of my cheekbones (just under the eye, diagonally) and then lightly dabbed on the front of my nose, under the eyebrows and just a little on my cupids bow. The light pinky, silvery tone is extremely flattering for a bronzer and does actually look natural and subtle once blended, not like the unblended hand swatch! I compared this next to Benefit Sunbeam in Boots, and honestly there is nothing in the blended out colour, at all.

This formula isn't sticky or greasy, nor does the shimmer look completely over the top, like some shimmers can do. This is one of the best budget highlighters I've tried, and very worth a try if you're going to pick up Benefit Sunbeam and don't mind the formula difference.

Have you tried the No7 Instant Radiance Bronzing Highlighter Stick?

29.5.14

This was one of those purchased that I loved in the shop, excitedly got it out at home and thought...Woaahh. That is a bright lipstick. I popped this in my draw and forgot I even owned it till a few a weeks ago. And since I've started blogging my bright lip fear has been slowly disappearing, and I have even been feeling smug and braved red lips in recent months. So you can imagine my delight when I found the MAC Chatterbox Lipstick floating around my makeup storage.

Chatterbox is a bright, but slightly cool pink, and being a blue based suits my pale skin down to a tee. Saying that, I have seen this on warmer skin tones and still looks good. Being one of the amplified crème range, it has a creamy feel while still clinging to lips, the slight creaminess keeps it from being drying and looking all old and crusty after a few hours. Hopefully that isn't just me.

The main reason I love Chatterbox now, as is it’s a standout pink, but it’s not bright, neon, or overwhelming in any way. This has become my new daily lipstick for the spring, until I decide its too bright again and hide it away.

Have you tried MAC Chatterbox Lipstick?

27.5.14

I have never made a secret of the fact that I do like a good anti ageing products, despite my 23 years. For me I have the logic that prevention is better than cure, plus I find anti ageing products so much more hydrating than your typical dry skin skincare items. But surprisingly this is my first try of Yves Rocher, even though I have often been tempted. And mainly due to the name, and yes being a chocolate fan, it does remind me of Ferrero Rocher. Ahem. But my mum has correct me about how fabulous their skincare is, so regardless of my reasoning I was excited to try this out.

Elixir 7.9 took 12 years of research and is a combination of seven plants and nine patents (7.9, clever eh!). This serum is an intensive boost to your usual moisturiser, improving skin tone, firming the skin and smoothing wrinkles. What surprised me is that this isn't your typical serum texture, as you can see its more like milk and not greasy in the slightest. Even touching the swatch dollop is completely grease free, unusual but not being a fan of grease I'm not complaining.

Yves Rocher suggest that you use a drop of the Elixir smoothed on the skin under your usual moisturiser morning and evening, which being a good girl is how I used it. However I found that I needed more than a couple of drops to lightly cover my face. I did feel an improvement on my dry skin - the skin on my nose has stopped flaking entirely, and on my forehead, and I do see a definite improvement. Not bad for only a weeks use.

Plus, my mum has said nothing but positive things about the serum, which I’m sure is more directed for women around her age than mine, and with the price I am guessing its not too affordable for young girls which is shame as I am in love with this serum.

24.5.14

Ohh how I do love a new collection for summer. Collection Cosmetics has not disappointed with their brand new six piece 'Mardi Gras' collection from 11th June that aims to bring a little Brazilian vibe to summer here in ever so sunny England. And if you didn't guess, this is tied in nicely for the World Cup, and this makeup collection is probably as into the World Cup I am going to get. Unless David Beckham is playing?

Everything bright and bold is on-trend, this summer and Collection have caught on with Mardi Gras, featuring three sweetly scented lip balms and three on-trend nail colours. Straight away I notice they have made the range very wearable for every day, yet keeping the in Brazilian theme.

The three lip balms are available in an apple scent (green,) sweet strawberry (pink,) and ice-lolly orange (orange.) smelling a lot more than their £1.99 price. They don't have that awful artificial smell, but just like a (finished) cocktail on the beach. They are so slimline too and would fit easily in your bag, or beach bag if you're lucky enough. And I am sure all three will fit if your indecisive. I have already been using the Strawberry one daily. These are rather similar to the infamous Maybelline Baby Lips, but I must say these are much nicer as the smell is less artificial. And cheaper.

The nail polishes are the colours of the Brazil flag, minus the blue, and I am glad to see they have brought more of the white into the colour range as it is much more wearable, not to mention on trend for this summer, sorry if you're on the 'Tipex' team.

Although it's initially quite streaky, once you've applied two coats the result is gorgeous. The yellow is darker than it looks in the bottle, but ideal as I am not one for the neon trend. While the green shade of green is my favourite, and actually prefect all year round and provides a great finish on the nails, with what I would say is a slight sheen, which annoyingly hasn't shown up in the photos, but trust me, its stunning. Its not often I actually like a entire range, but Collection Cosmetics Mardi Gras has really surprised me, and I am predicted this will be very popular this summer, especially with the starting price point of £1.99.

23.5.14

I feel this week my wish list for makeup has just gone through the roof, and almost to the point where I don't think I should be reading blogs anymore...nahh, that won't happen. So as a sort of therapy I've picked out 5 blog posts this week that I have been loving, and hopefully this is stop me spending for one more week...

Sian Marie's Beauty Blog - Tarte Wish List | Well, there is no better place to start then a wish list, and Sian's blog is fast becoming one of my favourites, plus she is a complete sweetheart, and this wish list has just made me even more annoying of our lack of Tarte Makeup in good old England.

Mademoiselle Lala - MAC True Love's Kiss lipstick from the Maleficient collection | I don't normally get too involved with MACs limited edition collections, as well they just annoy me being limited edition. What am I meant to do once its gone? Exactly. But I just adore Joanna's blog,a and her post on the True Love's Kiss lipstick has found me my next red lipstick, regardless if it is not going to be around forever.

Katie's World Of Beauty - Lush 'Cosmetic Warrior' Face Mask | A combination of Katie's honesty in this post and the fact I am obsessed with Lush has made me want to try this. A face mask you put in the fridge? Sounds so Sex and The City. And even though the scent is meant to be appealing, my curiosity has got the better of me and I am so keen to try this.

What posts have you been loving this week?

21.5.14

For such a makeup addict, buying makeup online is something that has never appealed to me. A combination of not being able to see the makeup, and that buying makeup online feels more real and thought through, therefore I can't justify it so much when I see it on my bank statement! However, all has changed as I have made a mascara (obviously) purchase from Chemist Direct, with great ease.

I already knew Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara would be hit thanks to my love for the Lancôme Hypnose Mascara range, especially their Hypnose Drama Mascara. This mascara promises to give flirty doll-like lashes with its paraben-free formula. I know, right? Who knew Lancôme had a paraben-free mascara? Or mascara could be paraben-free? I feel rather mascara educated, and I was drawn to this Lancome mascara in particular as on Chemist Direct it currently has £4 off, a steal really. Straight in my basket, plus I must add, I ordered this on Friday, and what turned up on my doorstep Saturday morning? Yep, this mascara. Service or what?

Doll Eyes is not quite as glam as theYSL Shocking Mascara packaging but it's still so lovely and it doesn't feel cheap. I love the little flowers that compliment the curve of the tube, its very pretty but not sickeningly so. Doll Eyes has a traditional applicator wand, and I just can't get enough of it. The brush is cone-shaped, narrower at the tip and wider at the base (think Christmas tree), and coats all your lashes in one fell swoop with volumizing, lifting, lengthening goodness. Lancôme credits their 'FiberShine' formula for the glossy result, although I do feel like this is a mascara you could very easily go over board with, but that is something that is never going to stress me, surprisingly. I can't recommend this enough, plus Chemist Direct have discounts on all sorts of makeup, I just never get past the mascara page.

Have you tried Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara?

19.5.14

I really do not have a Yankee Candle addiction I promise. Well, maybe a tiny one. But no other candles are really comparing at the moment to good old Yankee. Unless you can recommend some? My room is starting to look like a Yankee Candle showroom. Well, as you can see, this is another very popular choice with me as there is actually no wax left to photograph, so here is the empty tumbler jar instead.

This was a white candle, very fitting for the Baby Powder name, and this is one of Yankee Candles best sellers. I do struggle with the clean fragrances normally, but this has a sweet edge making it less of a clean smell, and more of a baby powder scent. Yes, I know the description of this is shocking, but it truly does what is says and smells of baby/talcum powder. I have read a few other reviews to try and help me with my lacking description skills, and the other theme with this candle is that it reminds mothers of their freshly cleaned baby. I can't judge on that, so I'll leave that thought with you...

Regardless, I am a big fan of Baby Powder, and whilst this might be the marmite of Yankee Candle, I do think everyone needs a sniff of this at least once.

Have you tried the Yankee Candle Baby Powder?

15.5.14

With the release of Rimmel ScandalEyes Rocking Curves/ Kate mascara, I thought it would be a good time to review one of there other mascaras from the ScandalEyes range, the Rimmel Volume Flash ScandalEyes Mascara in Extreme Black. Even for a mascara addict like myself, I have lost count the amount of mascaras Rimmel now has in the range, and they all do seem rather similar. Just maybe which different packaging, or a bristle may be different? Who knows...

I did actually buy this last year, so I do think I've tried this mascara enough times to give it the benefit of the doubt, but unfortunately this mascara has left a bad taste in mouth. With a name like Volume Flash Scandal Eyes this got my inner mascara geek excited, but straight away I found the larger than average brush annoying. It is one of those brushes that is just too large to really reach my lashes, and as a result ending up with mascara all over my lids. The formula is also way too wet to build any volume, let alone length, or curl.

With a lot of work I did manage to get my lashes somewhat presentable, but boy it was one tough job. And who really wants to spend a good half an hour each day trying to not make a wet mascara mess? Exactly. Sorry Rimmel but you haven't done much for my views on high street mascara. I am just wondering what their latest 'Rocking Curves' mascara is like?

Have you tried any of the Rimmel ScandalEyes Mascaras?

3.5.14

After my mascara binge in January (5 mascaras in weeks, gulp), I decided it was time for a new mascara. I was captivated in Boots by the shiny display for L’Oreal’s version of a false lash effect mascara, Lash Architect 4D (£10.99). There was nothing wrong at all with the previous 5 I brought, but as you can tell, I do like to try out new mascaras. L'Oreal 4D Lash Architect Mascara seems to divide people, some seem to find it clumpy and not volumising like L'Oreal claim, and others have said they love the length and the drama this gives to their lashes, another factor that L'Oreal does claim with this mascara.

Lash Architect mascara comes in a mirrored effect and shard shaped packaging, the brush is pretty basic, it's quite long and on the thin side with short bristles. I would imagine if you have small eyes the brush may be larger than your eyes.

Straight away I loved the formula, isn't too wet and it applies properly on first application, no waiting a few days for it to 'dry out'. The brush is a little tapered so you can get at the small lashes in the corner, and its also at a slight angle which really coats my lashes. Now, I like my lashes with drama, so naturally I love this mascara. I often border on wearing too much mascara (not that I believe that is such a issue...) but if you like more natural and defined lashes this may not be for you. The only tiny downside I found was that it didn't curl my lashes like it claimed, but curl isn't a factor I am overly bothered about. If you like volumised dramatic lashes, 4D Lash Architect is a perfect high street choice.

Have you tried L'Oreal 4D Lash Architect Mascara?

2.5.14

I seem to go through makeup obsessions, and this weeks obsession? Highlighter. Ever since I found contouring and highlighting, I’ve been so determined to find the one. And while I am still in my highlighter experimenting phase, spending lots money really isn’t something I want to do. So naturally I headed for MUA where I picked up the last MUA Undress Your Skin Shimmer Highlighter. Previously trying and loving their foundation from the Undress Your Skin range I was super excited to try this out, and fell in love with the swirly shimmery power, which does bare resemblance to the MAC Mineralise Powders. But I think we all know MUA seem to gather ‘inspiration’ from other brands. Hello Essie dupes with their nail varnish bottles.

Back on point, this highlighter still hasn’t quite sold me yet. I love it for day time when I only need a subtle highlight, and I really don’t want the full on shimmer look that it appears it would give in the packaging. But as you can see via my useless photo, the shimmer is very subtle and not very noticeable once I paired it with heavier evening makeup. Considering this only cost £3 (and looks so pretty in my makeup bag) I am happy with it for day time usage, yet I am still on my hunt for a perfect evening highlighter, with some serious shimmer…